My PD Story

Roland and Shelley Frankel and children
Family Members

Roland and Shelley Frankel

As the somber saying goes, a parent should never have to bury their child. But in March 2023 Roland and Shelley Frankel had to do just that.

Their son Graeme had been fighting Parkinson’s disease (PD) for five years and passed from an asthma-related emergency. Graeme is survived by a sister Lara, Brother-in-Law Brad, a nephew Rafi, and a niece Bella Gray who was born after Graeme passed and named after him. To keep Graeme’s memory alive, the family decided to start a DIY fundraiser with the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Graeme and his dad going golfing

Graeme often played golf with his father and family when they traveled. His young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD) diagnosis in 2018 didn’t stop that. In the last eight months of his life, his PD symptoms had begun to advance, but he was always positive about his experience living with PD, like his hero Michael J Fox. He kept his spirit up. He played his final game with his father in December 2022.

Roland and Shelley had learned about the Parkinson’s Foundation through their son — he supported the Foundation and encouraged his family and friends to support it through yearly birthday fundraisers. He had also utilized Parkinson’s Foundation resources. So, when it came time to create a fundraiser in his honor, the Graeme Frankel Memorial Golf Outing came to life.

The first Graeme Frankel Memorial Golf Outing was a smash success raising $72,545. They couldn’t have wished for a better day. The sun was shining, there was a breeze, and everyone was so helpful. It was as if Graeme’s presence was felt.

“The community, the support, the care, and the love was absolutely phenomenal… how people responded to the event,” Shelley said. “The help that the local Parkinson’s Foundation Midwest Chapter and the Parkinson’s Champions team gave made it all possible. All the people willing to play, sponsor, and donate didn’t hesitate to support the event.”

“Thanks to the support we received, we are bringing the event back yearly to keep his light shining — in memory of Graeme,”  said Roland.

The family is working on going bigger this year to beat their fundraising goal of $80,000.

The Frankel family, friends and network are already gearing up to hopefully make this a continuous annual event to remember Graeme and share his support of the PD community in his memory.  

Graeme holding his nephew

Roland has continued to stay involved in the Parkinson’s Foundation Midwest Chapter and Shelley shares their fundraiser with friends all over the world (the family is originally from South Africa).  

To those newly diagnosed, they share the following, “Seek medical help and contact the Parkinson’s Foundation for access to resources available. Attend support groups. Graeme’s key was getting good medical help as soon as possible.”

Explore the many ways to volunteer with the Parkinson’s Foundation. Fill out our volunteer interest form today.

Educational Events

Let's Talk About It: Non-motor Symptoms

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm MDT
Free
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There are many non-motor challenges associated with Parkinson’s disease that may not always be easy to discuss. With a focus on non-motor symptoms, this program will provide strategies for coping and talking about it with healthcare providers or loved ones.

Speakers:
Dana Sugar, MD, University of New Mexico

Sponsored by:

Seed for Success
More to Parkinson's

Upcoming Events

Educational Events

Mindfulness Mondays - Mental Wellbeing

Each month, Dr. Rush invites you to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself and your Parkinson’s community through a guided mindfulness practice. Together, we’ll explore simple ways to ground the body, calm the mind, and cultivate compassion and clarity that you can carry into your week.

Virtual
Educational Events

Parkinson’s Research and Care

10:00 am to 2:00 pm PDT
Free
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Parkinson's research is important to finding better treatments and improving care. At this program, attendees will learn about how research shapes treatments, about care strategies for managing Parkinson’s symptoms, and what’s new in research.

People with Parkinson’s and their loved ones are invited to join us for a resource fair, exercise demonstrations, table activities, raffles and giveaways, and lunch.

Registration, parking and meals are provided at no cost to attendees, but registration is required.

Speakers: Anny Lin, MD, UW Medicine; Pinky Agarwal, MD, Evergreen Health

Sponsored by:

Upcoming Events

Educational Events

Mindfulness Mondays - Mental Wellbeing

Each month, Dr. Rush invites you to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself and your Parkinson’s community through a guided mindfulness practice. Together, we’ll explore simple ways to ground the body, calm the mind, and cultivate compassion and clarity that you can carry into your week.

Virtual
Educational Events

Fitness Counts

10:00 am to 1:30 pm EST
Free
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Check-in and resource fair starts at 10 a.m.; Program starts 11:00 a.m.

Studies have demonstrated that exercise has brain and body benefits for people with Parkinson’s disease. Exercise can help to improve Parkinson’s symptoms and help individuals do the activities they enjoy. Learn that there are benefits to movement at all stages of Parkinson’s and that it is never too late to start.

Speakers

Erin Buckley, OTR/L
Central Virginia VA Health Care System

Cameron Gordon, PT, DPT
Veterans Healthcare Administration

Alyssa Yeary, PT, DPT, NCS
VCU Health

Margaret Preston
Power Over Parkinson's (POP)

Molly Cupka 
Up ENDing Parkinson’s

Lindsay Dawson, PT, DPT
Rock Steady Boxing Richmond

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.

Thank you to our Sponsor:

Kyowa Kirin
Educational Events

Hacia Adelante: Navegando el Mar del Parkinson

9:00 am to 2:00 pm PDT
Free
Hacia Adelante

Acompañe a la Parkinson’s Foundation en nuestro evento educativo en español para explorar formas de mantenerse motivado cuando se vive con Parkinson y disfrute de una feria de recursos, baile, almuerzo, juegos, rifas, oportunidades de investigación in situ y mucho más.

Este programa es gratuito y está disponible para las personas con Parkinson, sus familiares, amigos, personas de apoyo y promotores de salud. Entre los presentadores estarán Natalie Diaz, MD, Pacific Neuroscience Institute; Ignacio Mata, PhD, Cleveland Clinic; Xavier Cagigas, PhD, UCLA; y Adriana Jimenez, Give for a Smile. 

El estacionamiento y el almuerzo son gratuitos y hay una zona de actividades para niños disponible. 

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Sponsored by:

Medtronic

Upcoming Events

Educational Events

Mindfulness Mondays - Mental Wellbeing

Each month, Dr. Rush invites you to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself and your Parkinson’s community through a guided mindfulness practice. Together, we’ll explore simple ways to ground the body, calm the mind, and cultivate compassion and clarity that you can carry into your week.

Virtual
Educational Events

Better Lives, Together: Fresno Parkinson's Summit

9:30 am to 2:00 pm PDT
Free
Fresno Summit 2025

Living with Parkinson’s can be challenging, but many resources are available to help you live your best quality of life. This program will provide important information about defining your care goals – both now and for the future – as well as guidance on accessing supportive services.

The event is free and is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends and the community. Registration is required as in-person seating is limited.

Thank you to our event partners, the Greater Fresno Parkinson’s Support Group and Move Up Health.

Speaker: Kwame Adjepong, MD, UCSF

Sponsored by:

Upcoming Events

Educational Events

Mindfulness Mondays - Mental Wellbeing

Each month, Dr. Rush invites you to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself and your Parkinson’s community through a guided mindfulness practice. Together, we’ll explore simple ways to ground the body, calm the mind, and cultivate compassion and clarity that you can carry into your week.

Virtual
Educational Events

Let’s Talk About It: Thinking Changes

11:00 am to 2:30 pm EST
FREE
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There are many non-motor challenges associated with Parkinson’s disease that may not always be easy to discuss. With a focus on cognition & thinking changes, this program will provide strategies for coping and talking about it with healthcare providers or loved ones.

Speakers

Mariel B. Deutsch, MD, FAAN
Neurology MIND Care
Cognitive Behavioral Neurologist at Neurology MIND Care PLLC

Kaitlin Stephen, MS, OT/L, LSVT
Metro Physical & Aquatic Therapy

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.

Upcoming Events

Educational Events

Mindfulness Mondays - Mental Wellbeing

Each month, Dr. Rush invites you to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself and your Parkinson’s community through a guided mindfulness practice. Together, we’ll explore simple ways to ground the body, calm the mind, and cultivate compassion and clarity that you can carry into your week.

Virtual
Educational Events

Live Fitness Fridays - Cardio, Balance & Brain Boost

Virtual ( Zoom )
1:00 pm to 1:45 pm EST
FREE
A man lifting two weights in a T motion

Get ready to challenge your body and mind with this exciting high-energy class designed for individuals with Parkinson’s. You’ll alternate between heart-pumping cardio intervals and balance exercises that not only strengthen your stability but also improve your multitasking skills. By combining physical and cognitive tasks, this class helps you enhance both coordination and mental agility.

Choose from three versions based on your balance needs: standing without support, standing with support, or seated. Whatever your ability, there's a version for you!

Instructor

Nicole Lanzafame, PT, DPT, Clinic Director, Wellness 360

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.

This is a virtual program, taking place live, using the online Zoom platform. Instructions on joining the webinar are provided after registering.

Upcoming Events

Educational Events

Mindfulness Mondays - Mental Wellbeing

Each month, Dr. Rush invites you to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself and your Parkinson’s community through a guided mindfulness practice. Together, we’ll explore simple ways to ground the body, calm the mind, and cultivate compassion and clarity that you can carry into your week.

Virtual
Educational Events

Mindfulness Mondays - Management of Negative Thinking

Virtual ( Zoom )
1:00 pm to 1:30 pm EST
FREE
Woman sitting on the couch drinking coffee

Negative thinking can contribute to unnecessary self-criticism, negative emotions like depression or anxiety, and avoidant behaviors that can impact our ability to manage a chronic illness well. While it is natural to experience negative thoughts,  when our mind is stuck in the past or focused on the future, we are not being mindful of the things we can control now. When the thoughts become overwhelming our autonomic nervous system becomes unbalanced and managing physical symptoms can become more challenging.  

Join us to get "unhooked" from that negative anchor through guided imagery and breathwork.

Speaker

Danielle R. Carns, PsyD - Director, Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder Program; Clinical Neuropsychologist, Assistant Professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.

This is a virtual program, taking place live, using the online Zoom platform. Instructions on joining the webinar are provided after registering.

Upcoming Events

Educational Events

Mindfulness Mondays - Mental Wellbeing

Each month, Dr. Rush invites you to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself and your Parkinson’s community through a guided mindfulness practice. Together, we’ll explore simple ways to ground the body, calm the mind, and cultivate compassion and clarity that you can carry into your week.

Virtual
Educational Events

Mindfulness Mondays - Mental Wellbeing

Virtual ( Zoom )
1:00 pm to 1:30 pm EST
FREE
Woman sitting on the couch drinking coffee

In sessions with Dr. Rush, we explore different dimensions of a mindfulness practice. She will share ways to ground and settle the mind and body. These mindfulness techniques can offer moments of respite and clarity that can be useful throughout your week. Find a comfortable seat and join your mindful Parkinson's community for a special session.

Whether this is your first mindfulness Monday, or you are a returning participant, these sessions are created with the intention of including everyone. There will be time for questions following the practice.

Speaker

Taylor Rush, Ph.D. - Health Psychologist, Director of Behavioral Services and Interdisciplinary Programs, Center for Neurological Restoration, Cleveland Clinic

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.

This is a virtual program, taking place live, using the online Zoom platform. Instructions on joining the webinar are provided after registering.

Upcoming Events

Educational Events

Mindfulness Mondays - Mental Wellbeing

Each month, Dr. Rush invites you to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself and your Parkinson’s community through a guided mindfulness practice. Together, we’ll explore simple ways to ground the body, calm the mind, and cultivate compassion and clarity that you can carry into your week.

Virtual
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